Destins life by destin

Destins life by destin - November 2018 Scholarship Essay

Destin

Essay

My name is Destin Lembelembe. I am from Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo. My family and I enjoyed a good life filled with studying and enjoying each other’s company One day,my dad brought us together and said “we have to move”. Puzzled, we all asked why and he simply said “because I want a better life for all of you”. Even more puzzled, we asked where are we moving and he said, “to the U.S.A.” Our puzzlement turned to excitement, I couldn’t wait! My family moved from Kinshasa to the U.S.A in 2015 to live with my aunt. Though we were excited, the difficulties came fast. It was difficult for all of us because we didn't know how to speak or write English (our native language is French) and I was nervous more than anything. Truthfully, I wanted to go back to Africa but even at the age of 11 I understood that in life, difficulties are as guaranteed as tomorrow and we just have to deal with it. We dealt with it as a family. Every day, we would go to a computer and look up videos to teach us English. We all wanted to speak English. After one difficulty was conquered, another came in its place. One morning, my dad told us that our aunt didn’t want us to stay with her any more. y dad was so stressed and unhappy at that moment. We couldn’t understand why his sister didn't want us in her house. But, like with learning English, we just have to deal with it.y My dad used his connections in Africa and explained our situation. Ever eager to help a friend, they sent us their contacts in the U.S.A. Out of luck, my dad discovered a connection in Urbana, Illinois. My dad y explained what happened to us.This rediscovered friend of ours had to sent money for us and we started living with her. Though she was a mother with children of her own, we lived at her house for 2 months and she really helped us to earn money and start renting an apartment for ourselves. We are so thankful for what she did! I had wanted to go to school so we went for registration at Urbana High School. I started as a freshman while my siblings were in elementary school. Though I was excited for school, I was so mad and stressed because it was my first time going in school on the U.S.A. But like the move and the housing situation before it, I had to deal with it and after a month I was just fine. In school I wanted to play soccer and after tryouts I learned that I made the team! I was happy that everything was just fine Eventually, our friend connected us to a church in Champaign whose congregants were from similar backgrounds as myself. This was a big relief because at the moment, my english was not strong enough to hold a proper conversation and, consequently, I was shy be around people who spoke english. Being in the church helped me develop english because I could take lessons in French, Lingala, and Swahili. For all these difficulties, I am happy for them. I am just a young man who wants to see other people happy and help them. I help at my church as a volunteer and I love what I do; I help with kids and read the service in french on Sundays. I enjoy working with the many kids in the church because I find I have more similarities with their jokes and playfulness than the serious world of adults. I have heard “you should be a teacher” many times and I just laugh with it. During the college application process, I’m giving serious thought to how I can study elementary education and show children how to grow and show them good examples. I chose to apply to this school because I have been through real difficulties and can be a good example for others who are struggling to deal with their issues. More than anything, I want to teach people how beautiful it is to show youth who they are and what they can be one day. I am a hardworking person and I don’t give up easily. In my Junior year I had to take the SAT and though I tried my best on some very difficult parts, I refused to give up when I was approached with unfamiliar material. I know my English wasn’t good enough for that test but I gave all my efforts. I studied everyday along with my responsibilities as a big brother. When I wanted to be in the library, I had to stay with my sisters while my parents were at work. I am an athlete as well; I play football and run track. With all of these things on my plate, I am still responsible and take care of my education, family and, after those two realms of my life are sound, sports. It’s not easy, but I deal with it.